Cancer Institute Fellowship supports quest for greater understanding of DIPG triggers
A Newcastle researcher is on a mission to uncover the underlying biology of Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), a lethal brainstem tumour responsible for half of all childhood brain cancer deaths.
University of Newcastle’s Dr Ryan Duchatel, of the HMRI Precision Medicine and Health Research Program, has been awarded a $675,000 Cancer Institute NSW Career Development Fellowship to continue his promising research, which has identified a cellular growth pathway that is essential for DIPG survival.
Children are diagnosed with DIPG across an age spectrum, often six to eight years and die within 12 months of diagnosis. These tumours impact vital functions, including vision, swallowing, breathing, and heart rate.
The genetic causes of DIPG are closely linked to the age of diagnosis, pointing to a connection between brain development and initial disease onset.
Targeting the identified pathway with brain-penetrant precision medicines, discovered by Dr Duchatel’s laboratory, is showing promise in DIPG clinical trials.
By studying patients’ genetic information and using advanced laboratory models, Dr Duchatel and his team hope to better understand the genetic changes and outside factors that trigger DIPG, and use these insights to develop more effective treatments.
Dr Duchatel’s body of work has also been supported by the Mark Hughes Foundation, NHMRC, RUN DIPG, the Isabella and Marcus Foundation, Cure Starts Now, The Little Legs Foundation, The Blackjack Foundation, HMRI, CI NSW and most recently the ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation.
Contact
- Media and Communication Specialist Carmen Swadling
- Phone: +61 407935735
- Email: carmen.swadling@newcastle.edu.au
Related news
- Cancer Institute Fellowship supports quest for greater understanding of DIPG triggers
- Team sport the MVP for kicking kids’ mental health goals
- I2N selected to help more women turn their ideas into viable ventures
- Blueprint for FEE-FREE Uni Ready courses unveiled
- University of Newcastle officially opens new Gosford building
Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.